Matrix names Lincoln Park's former emergency manager as new CEO

Matrix Human Services has named Brad Coulter, the former emergency manager for Lincoln Park, as its new president and CEO.

Coulter, 55, will succeed Marcella Wilson after more than a decade to lead the national expansion of the Matrix Transition to Success poverty model that she developed and put in place at Detroit-based Matrix during her tenure. Wilson's departure, originally set for February, is now taking effect Friday.

Coulter in December wrapped up an 18-month term as the state-appointed emergency manager for Lincoln Park in December. In that role, he solved the city’s financial crisis and improved city operations, “...collaborating with local leaders to address the city’s financial emergency, then working to enhance economic development to help ensure continued financial stability for Lincoln Park,” Gov. Rick Snyder said at the time.

Coulter eliminated the city’s budget deficit of more than $1 million, reduced retiree costs to $600,000 a year from $4.3 million and shifted much of the savings to pensions.

Coulter also previously served as managing director with Bloomfield Hills-based O’Keefe & Associates for seven years. Prior to that, he held a number of positions over 14 years at Guardian Industries Inc., rising from financial analyst to finance director for India and later for Thailand before serving as director of credit and business development for the Auburn Hills-based company.

Coulter started his career at General Motors Co. as a financial analyst.

While Matrix is not struggling financially, the nonprofit said in a release that it will benefit from Coulter’s experience in driving change, improving operating efficiencies and empowering staff to do their jobs.

Matrix, a $40 million nonprofit with more than 600 employees, has provided services for Detroit’s underserved since 1906.